good cheer, and Richard not only forced himself to eat, but to the squire’s great surprise swallowed more than one deep draught of wine.  Having thus administered to the wants of the guests, and seeing his presence was no longer either necessary or desired, Faryngton vanished, first promising to go and see that all was got ready for them in the sleeping apartments.  Notwithstanding the man’s civility, there was an over-officiousness about him that made Nicholas suspect he was placed over them by Sir John Finett to watch their movements, and he resolved to be upon his guard.

“I am glad to see you drink, lad,” he observed to Richard, as soon as they were alone; “a cup of wine will do you good.”

“Do you think so?” replied Richard, filling his goblet anew.  “I want to get back my spirits and strength—­to sustain myself no matter how—­to look well—­ha! ha!  If I can only make this frail machine carry me stoutly through the King’s visit, I care not how soon it falls to pieces afterwards.”

“I see your motive, Dick,” replied Nicholas.  “You hope to turn away suspicion from Alizon by this device; but you must not go to excess, or you will defeat your scheme.”

“I will do something to convince the King he is mistaken in me—­that I am not bewitched,” cried Richard, rising and striding across the room.  “Bewitched! and by Alizon, too!  I could laugh at the charge, but that it is too horrible.  Had any other than the King breathed it, I would have slain him.”

“His Majesty has been abused by the malice of that knavish attorney, Potts, who has always manifested the greatest hostility towards Alizon,” said Nicholas; “but he will not prevail, for she has only to show herself to dispel all prejudice.”

“You are right, Nicholas,” cried Richard; “and yet the King seems already to have prejudged her, and his obstinacy may lead to her destruction.”

“Speak not so loudly, Dick, in Heaven’s name!” said the squire, in alarm; “these walls may have ears, and echoes may repeat every word you utter.”

“Then let them tell the King that Alizon is innocent,” cried Richard, stopping, and replenishing his goblet, “Here’s to her health, and confusion to her enemies!”

“I’ll drink that toast with pleasure, Dick,” replied the squire; “but I must forbid you more wine.  You are not used to it, and the fumes will mount to your brain.”

“Come and sit down beside us, that we may talk,” said Sherborne.

Richard obeyed, and, leaning over the table, asked in a low deep tone, “Where is Mistress Nutter, Nicholas?”

The squire looked towards the door before he answered, and then said—­

“I will tell you.  After the destruction of Malkin Tower and the band of robbers, she was taken to a solitary hut near Barley Booth, at the foot of Pendle Hill, and the next day was conveyed across Bowland Forest to Poulton in the Fyld, on the borders of Morecambe Bay, with the intention of getting her on board some vessel bound for the Isle of Man.  Arrangements were made for this purpose; but when the time came, she refused to go, and was brought secretly back to the hut near Barley, where she has been ever since, though her place of concealment was hidden even from you and her daughter.”